diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/index.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/index.tsx
index d19c0a253..6d1be3907 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/composer/index.tsx
@@ -407,13 +407,19 @@ export function ChatBar({
       return
     }
 
-    const pastedText = event.clipboardData.getData('text')
+    // Trim surrounding whitespace so a copy that dragged along leading/trailing
+    // blank lines (common when selecting from terminals, code blocks, web pages)
+    // doesn't dump multiline padding into the composer. Internal newlines are
+    // preserved — only the edges are cleaned up.
+    const pastedText = event.clipboardData.getData('text').trim()
 
     if (!pastedText) {
+      event.preventDefault()
+
       return
     }
 
-    if (DATA_IMAGE_URL_RE.test(pastedText.trim())) {
+    if (DATA_IMAGE_URL_RE.test(pastedText)) {
       event.preventDefault()
 
       return
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/session-row.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/session-row.tsx
index 81359a6f8..aaa623faa 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/session-row.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/chat/sidebar/session-row.tsx
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { useStore } from '@nanostores/react'
 import type * as React from 'react'
 
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
@@ -6,6 +7,7 @@ import type { SessionInfo } from '@/hermes'
 import { sessionTitle } from '@/lib/chat-runtime'
 import { triggerHaptic } from '@/lib/haptics'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
+import { $attentionSessionIds } from '@/store/session'
 
 import { SessionActionsMenu, SessionContextMenu } from './session-actions-menu'
 
@@ -61,6 +63,10 @@ export function SidebarSessionRow({
   const title = sessionTitle(session)
   const age = formatAge(session.last_active || session.started_at)
   const handleLabel = `Reorder ${title}`
+  // Subscribe per-row (the leaf) instead of drilling a set through the list —
+  // the atom is tiny and rarely non-empty. True when a clarify prompt in this
+  // session is waiting on the user.
+  const needsInput = useStore($attentionSessionIds).includes(session.id)
 
   return (
     <SessionContextMenu
@@ -84,7 +90,7 @@ export function SidebarSessionRow({
         style={style}
         {...rest}
       >
-        {isWorking && <span aria-hidden="true" className="arc-border" />}
+        {isWorking && !needsInput && <span aria-hidden="true" className="arc-border" />}
         <button
           className="z-0 flex min-w-0 cursor-pointer items-center gap-1.5 bg-transparent py-0.5 pl-2 pr-1 text-left group-hover:pr-12"
           onClick={event => {
@@ -114,16 +120,25 @@ export function SidebarSessionRow({
             <span
               {...dragHandleProps}
               aria-label={handleLabel}
-              className="relative -my-0.5 grid w-4 shrink-0 cursor-grab touch-none place-items-center self-stretch overflow-hidden active:cursor-grabbing"
+              className={cn(
+                // Scope the dot↔grabber swap to a local group so the grabber
+                // only reveals when hovering/focusing the handle itself, not
+                // anywhere on the row.
+                'group/handle relative -my-0.5 grid w-4 shrink-0 cursor-grab touch-none place-items-center self-stretch overflow-hidden active:cursor-grabbing',
+                // The quest-glow box-shadow extends past the dot; let it bleed
+                // out instead of being clipped by this handle's overflow-hidden.
+                needsInput && 'overflow-visible'
+              )}
               onClick={event => event.stopPropagation()}
             >
               <SidebarRowDot
-                className="transition-opacity group-hover:opacity-0 group-focus-within:opacity-0"
+                className="transition-opacity group-hover/handle:opacity-0 group-focus-within/handle:opacity-0"
                 isWorking={isWorking}
+                needsInput={needsInput}
               />
               <Codicon
                 className={cn(
-                  'absolute text-(--ui-text-quaternary) opacity-0 transition-opacity group-hover:opacity-80 group-focus-within:opacity-80 hover:text-(--ui-text-secondary)',
+                  'absolute text-(--ui-text-quaternary) opacity-0 transition-opacity group-hover/handle:opacity-80 group-focus-within/handle:opacity-80 hover:text-(--ui-text-secondary)',
                   dragging && 'text-(--ui-text-secondary) opacity-100'
                 )}
                 name="grabber"
@@ -131,8 +146,8 @@ export function SidebarSessionRow({
               />
             </span>
           ) : (
-            <span className="grid w-3.5 shrink-0 place-items-center overflow-hidden">
-              <SidebarRowDot isWorking={isWorking} />
+            <span className={cn('grid w-3.5 shrink-0 place-items-center', needsInput ? 'overflow-visible' : 'overflow-hidden')}>
+              <SidebarRowDot isWorking={isWorking} needsInput={needsInput} />
             </span>
           )}
           <span className="truncate text-[0.8125rem] font-normal text-(--ui-text-secondary) group-hover:text-foreground group-data-[working=true]:text-foreground/90">
@@ -169,7 +184,30 @@ export function SidebarSessionRow({
   )
 }
 
-function SidebarRowDot({ isWorking, className }: { isWorking: boolean; className?: string }) {
+function SidebarRowDot({
+  isWorking,
+  needsInput = false,
+  className
+}: {
+  isWorking: boolean
+  needsInput?: boolean
+  className?: string
+}) {
+  // "Needs input" wins over "working": a clarify-blocked session is technically
+  // still running, but the actionable state is that it's waiting on the user.
+  // Amber + steady (no ping) reads as "your turn", distinct from the accent
+  // pulse of an active turn.
+  if (needsInput) {
+    return (
+      <span
+        aria-label="Needs your input"
+        className={cn('quest-glow relative size-1.5 rounded-full bg-amber-500', className)}
+        role="status"
+        title="Waiting for your answer"
+      />
+    )
+  }
+
   return (
     <span
       aria-label={isWorking ? 'Session running' : undefined}
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/right-sidebar/index.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/right-sidebar/index.tsx
index ac6e0b53f..8e46aeb67 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/right-sidebar/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/right-sidebar/index.tsx
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ interface RightSidebarTab {
 }
 
 const RIGHT_SIDEBAR_TABS: readonly RightSidebarTab[] = [
-  { id: 'files', label: 'File system', icon: 'files' },
+  { id: 'files', label: 'File system', icon: 'list-tree' },
   { id: 'terminal', label: 'Terminal', icon: 'terminal' }
 ]
 
@@ -141,23 +141,24 @@ function RightSidebarChrome({
       <div className="flex items-center gap-2 px-2.5 py-1">
         <nav aria-label="Right sidebar panels" className="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-1">
           {tabs.map(tab => (
-            <button
+            <Button
               aria-label={tab.label}
               aria-pressed={tab.id === activeTab}
               className={cn(
-                'grid size-6 shrink-0 place-items-center rounded-lg text-(--ui-text-tertiary) transition-colors hover:bg-(--ui-control-hover-background) hover:text-foreground focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-sidebar-ring active:bg-(--ui-control-active-background) active:text-foreground',
-                'data-[active=true]:bg-(--ui-control-active-background) data-[active=true]:text-foreground'
+                'text-(--ui-text-tertiary) hover:bg-(--ui-control-hover-background) hover:text-foreground',
+                tab.id === activeTab && 'bg-(--ui-control-active-background) text-foreground'
               )}
-              data-active={tab.id === activeTab}
               key={tab.id}
               onClick={() => setRightSidebarTab(tab.id)}
+              size="icon-xs"
               title={tab.label}
-              type="button"
+              variant="ghost"
             >
               <Codicon name={tab.icon} size="0.875rem" />
-            </button>
+            </Button>
           ))}
         </nav>
+
         {branch && (
           <span className="ml-auto flex min-w-0 items-center gap-1 text-[0.6875rem] text-(--ui-text-tertiary)">
             <Codicon className="shrink-0" name="git-branch" size="0.75rem" />
@@ -178,8 +179,11 @@ interface FilesystemTabProps extends FileTreeBodyProps {
   onRefresh: () => void
 }
 
+// Sidebar-specific color/hover treatment only — size, radius, cursor and the
+// base focus ring come from <Button size="icon-xs">. This constant exists
+// purely to share the sidebar palette + the hover-reveal behavior below.
 const HEADER_ACTION_CLASS =
-  'size-6 shrink-0 rounded-md text-sidebar-foreground/70 transition-colors hover:bg-sidebar-accent! hover:text-sidebar-accent-foreground! focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-sidebar-ring'
+  'text-sidebar-foreground/70 hover:bg-sidebar-accent! hover:text-sidebar-accent-foreground! focus-visible:ring-sidebar-ring'
 
 const HEADER_ACTION_REVEAL_CLASS = `${HEADER_ACTION_CLASS} pointer-events-none opacity-0 transition-opacity focus-visible:opacity-100 group-focus-within/project-header:pointer-events-auto group-focus-within/project-header:opacity-100 group-hover/project-header:pointer-events-auto group-hover/project-header:opacity-100`
 
@@ -213,11 +217,22 @@ function FilesystemTab({
         >
           <SidebarPanelLabel>{cwdName}</SidebarPanelLabel>
         </button>
+        <Button
+          aria-label="Refresh tree"
+          className={HEADER_ACTION_CLASS}
+          disabled={!hasCwd || loading}
+          onClick={onRefresh}
+          size="icon-xs"
+          title="Refresh tree"
+          variant="ghost"
+        >
+          <Codicon name="refresh" size="0.8125rem" spinning={loading} />
+        </Button>
         <Button
           aria-label="Open folder"
           className={HEADER_ACTION_CLASS}
           onClick={() => void onChangeFolder()}
-          size="icon"
+          size="icon-xs"
           title={hasCwd ? 'Open a different folder' : 'Open a folder'}
           variant="ghost"
         >
@@ -228,23 +243,12 @@ function FilesystemTab({
           className={HEADER_ACTION_REVEAL_CLASS}
           disabled={!hasCwd || !canCollapse}
           onClick={onCollapseAll}
-          size="icon"
+          size="icon-xs"
           title="Collapse all folders"
           variant="ghost"
         >
           <Codicon name="collapse-all" size="0.8125rem" />
         </Button>
-        <Button
-          aria-label="Refresh tree"
-          className={HEADER_ACTION_REVEAL_CLASS}
-          disabled={!hasCwd || loading}
-          onClick={onRefresh}
-          size="icon"
-          title="Refresh tree"
-          variant="ghost"
-        >
-          <Codicon name="refresh" size="0.8125rem" spinning={loading} />
-        </Button>
       </RightSidebarSectionHeader>
       <FileTreeBody
         collapseNonce={collapseNonce}
@@ -264,7 +268,7 @@ function FilesystemTab({
 }
 
 export function RightSidebarSectionHeader({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
-  return <div className="flex h-7 shrink-0 items-center px-2">{children}</div>
+  return <div className="flex h-7 shrink-0 items-center px-2.5">{children}</div>
 }
 
 interface FileTreeBodyProps {
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/session/hooks/use-message-stream.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/session/hooks/use-message-stream.ts
index f6bf95adb..e4c49b840 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/session/hooks/use-message-stream.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/session/hooks/use-message-stream.ts
@@ -531,7 +531,8 @@ export function useMessageStream({
           streamId: null,
           pendingBranchGroup: null,
           awaitingResponse: false,
-          busy: false
+          busy: false,
+          needsInput: false
         }
       })
 
@@ -588,7 +589,8 @@ export function useMessageStream({
           pendingBranchGroup: null,
           sawAssistantPayload: true,
           awaitingResponse: false,
-          busy: false
+          busy: false,
+          needsInput: false
         }
       })
     },
@@ -786,6 +788,11 @@ export function useMessageStream({
         if (sessionId) {
           flushQueuedDeltas(sessionId)
           upsertToolCall(sessionId, toTodoPayload(payload) ?? payload, 'complete', event.type)
+          // A pending clarify blocks the turn, so the first tool.complete after
+          // one is the clarify resolving — drop the "needs input" flag here so
+          // the sidebar indicator clears as soon as it's answered, not only at
+          // message.complete.
+          updateSessionState(sessionId, state => (state.needsInput ? { ...state, needsInput: false } : state))
         }
 
         if (typeof payload?.inline_diff === 'string' && payload.inline_diff.trim()) {
@@ -829,13 +836,11 @@ export function useMessageStream({
 
           // The transcript only renders the active session, so a background
           // clarify is otherwise invisible (the row just keeps spinning like
-          // it's working). Nudge the user toward the chat that needs them.
-          if (!isActiveEvent) {
-            notify({
-              kind: 'info',
-              title: 'Another chat needs input',
-              message: 'Hermes asked a question in a background session. Open it to answer.'
-            })
+          // it's working). Flag the session so the sidebar shows a persistent
+          // "needs input" indicator on its row — works for the active session
+          // too, and survives alt-tab / window blur (unlike a toast).
+          if (sessionId) {
+            updateSessionState(sessionId, state => ({ ...state, needsInput: true }))
           }
         }
       } else if (event.type === 'approval.request') {
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/session/hooks/use-session-state-cache.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/session/hooks/use-session-state-cache.ts
index b2597fea8..adb4f362e 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/session/hooks/use-session-state-cache.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/session/hooks/use-session-state-cache.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { type MutableRefObject, useCallback, useEffect, useRef } from 'react'
 import type { ChatMessage } from '@/lib/chat-messages'
 import { preserveLocalAssistantErrors } from '@/lib/chat-messages'
 import { createClientSessionState } from '@/lib/chat-runtime'
-import { $busy, $messages, noteSessionActivity, setSessionWorking } from '@/store/session'
+import { $busy, $messages, noteSessionActivity, setSessionAttention, setSessionWorking } from '@/store/session'
 
 import type { ClientSessionState } from '../../types'
 
@@ -152,7 +152,12 @@ export function useSessionStateCache({
         setSessionWorking(previous.storedSessionId, false)
       }
 
+      if (previous.storedSessionId !== next.storedSessionId || !next.needsInput) {
+        setSessionAttention(previous.storedSessionId, false)
+      }
+
       setSessionWorking(next.storedSessionId, next.busy)
+      setSessionAttention(next.storedSessionId, next.needsInput)
       // Every state update is effectively a "still alive" heartbeat for
       // streaming events. The session-store watchdog uses this to keep the
       // working flag alive during long-running turns and to clear it once
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/shell/titlebar-controls.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/app/shell/titlebar-controls.tsx
index 1f0a8690e..99e778a6f 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/shell/titlebar-controls.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/shell/titlebar-controls.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { useStore } from '@nanostores/react'
 import type { ComponentProps, ReactNode } from 'react'
 import { useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom'
 
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
 import { Codicon } from '@/components/ui/codicon'
 import {
   DropdownMenu,
@@ -12,7 +13,6 @@ import {
   DropdownMenuTrigger
 } from '@/components/ui/dropdown-menu'
 import { triggerHaptic } from '@/lib/haptics'
-import { Volume2, VolumeX } from '@/lib/icons'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 import { $hapticsMuted, toggleHapticsMuted } from '@/store/haptics'
 import { $fileBrowserOpen, $sidebarOpen, toggleFileBrowserOpen, toggleSidebarOpen } from '@/store/layout'
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ export function TitlebarControls({
   const systemTools: TitlebarTool[] = [
     {
       active: hapticsMuted,
-      icon: hapticsMuted ? <VolumeX /> : <Volume2 />,
+      icon: <Codicon name={hapticsMuted ? 'mute' : 'unmute'} />,
       id: 'haptics',
       label: hapticsMuted ? 'Unmute haptics' : 'Mute haptics',
       onSelect: toggleHaptics
@@ -181,15 +181,20 @@ function ProfilesMenuButton({ navigate }: { navigate: ReturnType<typeof useNavig
   return (
     <DropdownMenu>
       <DropdownMenuTrigger asChild>
-        <button
+        <Button
           aria-label="Profiles"
-          className={cn(titlebarButtonClass, 'grid place-items-center bg-transparent select-none [&_svg]:size-4')}
+          className={cn(titlebarButtonClass, 'bg-transparent select-none')}
           onPointerDown={event => event.stopPropagation()}
+          size="icon-titlebar"
           title="Profiles"
           type="button"
+          variant="ghost"
         >
-          <Codicon name="account" />
-        </button>
+          {/* Optical bump: the `account` glyph has more internal padding than
+              `search`/`settings-gear`, so at the shared 0.875rem it reads small.
+              Nudge just this glyph to visually match its neighbours. */}
+          <Codicon name="account" size="1rem" />
+        </Button>
       </DropdownMenuTrigger>
       <DropdownMenuContent align="end" className="w-64" sideOffset={8}>
         <DropdownMenuLabel>
@@ -216,29 +221,30 @@ function ProfilesMenuButton({ navigate }: { navigate: ReturnType<typeof useNavig
 function TitlebarToolButton({ navigate, tool }: { navigate: ReturnType<typeof useNavigate>; tool: TitlebarTool }) {
   const className = cn(
     titlebarButtonClass,
-    'grid place-items-center bg-transparent select-none [&_svg]:size-4',
+    'bg-transparent select-none',
     tool.active && 'bg-(--ui-control-active-background)! text-foreground!',
     tool.className
   )
 
   if (tool.href) {
     return (
-      <a
-        aria-label={tool.label}
-        className={className}
-        href={tool.href}
-        onPointerDown={event => event.stopPropagation()}
-        rel="noreferrer"
-        target="_blank"
-        title={tool.title ?? tool.label}
-      >
-        {tool.icon}
-      </a>
+      <Button asChild className={className} size="icon-titlebar" variant="ghost">
+        <a
+          aria-label={tool.label}
+          href={tool.href}
+          onPointerDown={event => event.stopPropagation()}
+          rel="noreferrer"
+          target="_blank"
+          title={tool.title ?? tool.label}
+        >
+          {tool.icon}
+        </a>
+      </Button>
     )
   }
 
   return (
-    <button
+    <Button
       aria-label={tool.label}
       aria-pressed={tool.active ?? undefined}
       className={className}
@@ -251,10 +257,12 @@ function TitlebarToolButton({ navigate, tool }: { navigate: ReturnType<typeof us
         tool.onSelect?.()
       }}
       onPointerDown={event => event.stopPropagation()}
+      size="icon-titlebar"
       title={tool.title ?? tool.label}
       type="button"
+      variant="ghost"
     >
       {tool.icon}
-    </button>
+    </Button>
   )
 }
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/shell/titlebar.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/shell/titlebar.ts
index 34f0da8e5..c5002eafe 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/shell/titlebar.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/shell/titlebar.ts
@@ -12,8 +12,10 @@ export const TITLEBAR_FALLBACK_WINDOW_BUTTON_X = 24
 // (traffic lights are hidden). Matches the right-cluster's 0.75rem padding.
 export const TITLEBAR_EDGE_INSET = 14
 
-export const titlebarButtonClass =
-  'h-[var(--titlebar-control-height)] w-[var(--titlebar-control-size)] cursor-pointer rounded-md text-muted-foreground/85 transition-colors hover:bg-(--ui-control-hover-background) hover:text-foreground'
+// Titlebar palette only. All sizing/radius/cursor/centering come from the
+// shared <Button size="icon-titlebar"> (used polymorphically via asChild) —
+// Button is the single source of button styling.
+export const titlebarButtonClass = 'text-muted-foreground/85 hover:bg-(--ui-control-hover-background) hover:text-foreground'
 
 export const titlebarHeaderBaseClass =
   'pointer-events-none relative z-3 flex h-(--titlebar-height) shrink-0 items-center justify-start gap-3 border-b border-(--ui-stroke-tertiary) bg-(--ui-chat-surface-background) px-[max(0.75rem,var(--titlebar-content-inset,0rem))]'
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/app/types.ts b/apps/desktop/src/app/types.ts
index 246076bd3..d6164a70d 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/app/types.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/app/types.ts
@@ -73,4 +73,7 @@ export interface ClientSessionState {
   sawAssistantPayload: boolean
   pendingBranchGroup: string | null
   interrupted: boolean
+  /** A blocking clarify prompt is waiting on the user for this session. Drives
+   *  the sidebar "needs input" indicator; cleared when the turn resumes/ends. */
+  needsInput: boolean
 }
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/components/assistant-ui/clarify-tool.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/components/assistant-ui/clarify-tool.tsx
index 1fb652f04..74ebb639b 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/components/assistant-ui/clarify-tool.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/components/assistant-ui/clarify-tool.tsx
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import { ToolFallback } from '@/components/assistant-ui/tool-fallback'
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
 import { Textarea } from '@/components/ui/textarea'
 import { triggerHaptic } from '@/lib/haptics'
-import { HelpCircle, Loader2, PencilLine } from '@/lib/icons'
+import { Check, HelpCircle, Loader2 } from '@/lib/icons'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
 import { $clarifyRequest, clearClarifyRequest } from '@/store/clarify'
 import { $gateway } from '@/store/gateway'
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ function ClarifyToolPending({ args }: ToolCallMessagePartProps) {
   const [typing, setTyping] = useState(false)
   const [draft, setDraft] = useState('')
   const [submitting, setSubmitting] = useState(false)
+  const [selectedChoice, setSelectedChoice] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const textareaRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement | null>(null)
 
   // Race: tool.start fires a tick before clarify.request, so request_id
@@ -140,71 +141,59 @@ function ClarifyToolPending({ args }: ToolCallMessagePartProps) {
     [draft, respond]
   )
 
-  const handleChoiceKey = useCallback(
-    (event: KeyboardEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
-      if (typing || submitting) {
-        return
-      }
-
-      const numeric = Number.parseInt(event.key, 10)
-
-      if (Number.isFinite(numeric) && numeric >= 1 && numeric <= choices.length) {
-        event.preventDefault()
-        void respond(choices[numeric - 1]!)
-      }
-    },
-    [choices, respond, submitting, typing]
-  )
-
   return (
     <div
-      className={cn(
-        'mb-3 mt-2 grid gap-3 rounded-xl border border-border/70 bg-card/40 px-4 py-3.5 text-sm',
-        'shadow-[inset_0_1px_0_color-mix(in_srgb,var(--foreground)_3%,transparent)]'
-      )}
+      className="relative mb-3 mt-2 grid gap-2 rounded-[0.5rem] border border-border/70 bg-card/40 px-3 py-2.5 text-sm shadow-[inset_0_1px_0_color-mix(in_srgb,var(--foreground)_3%,transparent)]"
       data-slot="clarify-inline"
     >
-      <div className="flex items-start gap-2.5">
+      <span aria-hidden className="arc-border" />
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2.5">
         <span
           aria-hidden
-          className="mt-0.5 grid size-6 shrink-0 place-items-center rounded-md bg-[color-mix(in_srgb,var(--dt-primary)_14%,transparent)] text-primary ring-1 ring-inset ring-primary/15"
+          className="grid size-6 shrink-0 place-items-center rounded-md bg-[color-mix(in_srgb,var(--dt-primary)_14%,transparent)] text-primary ring-1 ring-inset ring-primary/15"
         >
           <HelpCircle className="size-3.5" />
         </span>
-        <div className="grid flex-1 gap-0.5">
-          <span className="text-[0.6875rem] font-medium uppercase tracking-wide text-muted-foreground/85">
-            Hermes is asking
-          </span>
-          <span className="whitespace-pre-wrap leading-snug text-foreground">
-            {question || <em className="text-muted-foreground/70">Loading question…</em>}
-          </span>
-        </div>
+        <span className="flex-1 whitespace-pre-wrap font-medium leading-snug text-foreground">
+          {question || <em className="font-normal text-muted-foreground/70">Loading question…</em>}
+        </span>
       </div>
 
       {!typing && hasChoices && (
-        <div className="grid gap-1.5" onKeyDown={handleChoiceKey} role="group">
+        <div className="grid gap-0.5" role="group">
           {choices.map((choice, index) => (
             <button
               className={cn(
-                'group/choice flex w-full items-center gap-3 rounded-lg border border-border/70 bg-background/60 px-3 py-2 text-left text-sm text-foreground/95',
-                'transition-colors hover:border-border hover:bg-accent/60 disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-55'
+                'flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center gap-2 rounded-md px-2.5 py-1.5 text-left text-sm text-foreground/95',
+                'transition-colors hover:bg-accent/60 disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-55',
+                selectedChoice === choice && 'bg-accent/60'
               )}
               data-choice
               disabled={!ready || submitting}
               key={`${index}-${choice}`}
-              onClick={() => void respond(choice)}
+              onClick={() => {
+                setSelectedChoice(choice)
+                void respond(choice)
+              }}
               type="button"
             >
-              <span className="grid size-5 shrink-0 place-items-center rounded-md bg-muted text-[0.6875rem] font-mono tabular-nums text-muted-foreground group-hover/choice:bg-background">
-                {index + 1}
+              <span
+                aria-hidden
+                className={cn(
+                  'grid size-3.5 shrink-0 place-items-center rounded-full border transition-colors',
+                  selectedChoice === choice ? 'border-primary' : 'border-muted-foreground/40'
+                )}
+              >
+                {selectedChoice === choice && <span className="size-1.5 rounded-full bg-primary" />}
               </span>
               <span className="flex-1 wrap-anywhere">{choice}</span>
+              {selectedChoice === choice && <Check aria-hidden className="size-4 shrink-0 text-primary" />}
             </button>
           ))}
           <button
             className={cn(
-              'flex w-full items-center gap-3 rounded-lg border border-dashed border-border/60 bg-transparent px-3 py-2 text-left text-sm text-muted-foreground',
-              'transition-colors hover:border-border hover:bg-accent/40 hover:text-foreground'
+              'flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center gap-2 rounded-md px-2.5 py-1.5 text-left text-sm text-muted-foreground',
+              'transition-colors hover:bg-accent/40 hover:text-foreground'
             )}
             disabled={submitting}
             onClick={() => {
@@ -213,12 +202,7 @@ function ClarifyToolPending({ args }: ToolCallMessagePartProps) {
             }}
             type="button"
           >
-            <span
-              aria-hidden
-              className="grid size-5 shrink-0 place-items-center rounded-md bg-muted text-muted-foreground"
-            >
-              <PencilLine className="size-3" />
-            </span>
+            <span aria-hidden className="size-3.5 shrink-0 rounded-full border border-muted-foreground/40" />
             <span className="flex-1">Other (type your answer)</span>
           </button>
         </div>
@@ -227,7 +211,7 @@ function ClarifyToolPending({ args }: ToolCallMessagePartProps) {
       {(typing || !hasChoices) && (
         <form className="grid gap-2" onSubmit={handleSubmitFreeform}>
           <Textarea
-            className="min-h-20 resize-y rounded-lg border-border/70 bg-background/60 text-sm"
+            className="min-h-20 resize-y rounded-lg border-transparent bg-accent/40 text-sm focus-visible:bg-background/60"
             disabled={submitting}
             onChange={event => setDraft(event.target.value)}
             onKeyDown={handleTextareaKey}
@@ -270,10 +254,9 @@ function ClarifyToolPending({ args }: ToolCallMessagePartProps) {
       )}
 
       {!typing && hasChoices && (
-        <div className="flex items-center justify-between text-[0.6875rem] text-muted-foreground/85">
-          <span>1–{choices.length} to pick</span>
+        <div className="flex justify-end">
           <button
-            className="bg-transparent text-muted-foreground/85 underline-offset-4 decoration-current/20 hover:text-foreground hover:underline disabled:opacity-50"
+            className="cursor-pointer bg-transparent text-[0.6875rem] text-muted-foreground/70 underline-offset-4 hover:text-foreground hover:underline disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50"
             disabled={!ready || submitting}
             onClick={() => void respond('')}
             type="button"
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/components/ui/button.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/components/ui/button.tsx
index be38242bf..c715af4ca 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/components/ui/button.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/components/ui/button.tsx
@@ -23,10 +23,11 @@ const buttonVariants = cva(
         xs: "h-6 gap-1 rounded-md px-2 text-xs has-[>svg]:px-1.5 [&_svg:not([class*='size-'])]:size-3",
         sm: 'h-8 gap-1.5 rounded-md px-3 has-[>svg]:px-2.5',
         lg: 'h-10 rounded-md px-6 has-[>svg]:px-4',
-        icon: 'size-9',
-        'icon-xs': "size-6 rounded-md [&_svg:not([class*='size-'])]:size-3",
-        'icon-sm': 'size-8',
-        'icon-lg': 'size-10'
+        icon: 'size-9 rounded-[4px]',
+        'icon-xs': "size-6 rounded-[4px] [&_svg:not([class*='size-'])]:size-3",
+        'icon-sm': 'size-8 rounded-[4px]',
+        'icon-lg': 'size-10 rounded-[4px]',
+        'icon-titlebar': 'h-(--titlebar-control-height) w-(--titlebar-control-size) rounded-[4px] [&_.codicon]:text-[0.875rem]'
       }
     },
     defaultVariants: {
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/lib/chat-runtime.ts b/apps/desktop/src/lib/chat-runtime.ts
index 915869a4f..fd81a9ad2 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/lib/chat-runtime.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/lib/chat-runtime.ts
@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ export function createClientSessionState(
     streamId: null,
     sawAssistantPayload: false,
     pendingBranchGroup: null,
-    interrupted: false
+    interrupted: false,
+    needsInput: false
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/store/session.test.ts b/apps/desktop/src/store/session.test.ts
index a6c1627eb..4254929e3 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/store/session.test.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/store/session.test.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
 
 import type { SessionInfo } from '@/types/hermes'
 
-import { mergeSessionPage, sessionPinId } from './session'
+import { $attentionSessionIds, mergeSessionPage, sessionPinId, setSessionAttention } from './session'
 
 const session = (over: Partial<SessionInfo>): SessionInfo => ({
   archived: false,
@@ -23,6 +23,34 @@ const session = (over: Partial<SessionInfo>): SessionInfo => ({
   ...over
 })
 
+describe('setSessionAttention', () => {
+  it('adds and removes a session id without duplicating it', () => {
+    $attentionSessionIds.set([])
+
+    setSessionAttention('s1', true)
+    setSessionAttention('s1', true)
+    expect($attentionSessionIds.get()).toEqual(['s1'])
+
+    setSessionAttention('s2', true)
+    expect($attentionSessionIds.get()).toEqual(['s1', 's2'])
+
+    setSessionAttention('s1', false)
+    expect($attentionSessionIds.get()).toEqual(['s2'])
+
+    $attentionSessionIds.set([])
+  })
+
+  it('ignores empty ids and no-op clears', () => {
+    $attentionSessionIds.set([])
+
+    setSessionAttention(null, true)
+    setSessionAttention(undefined, true)
+    setSessionAttention('', true)
+    setSessionAttention('missing', false)
+    expect($attentionSessionIds.get()).toEqual([])
+  })
+})
+
 describe('sessionPinId', () => {
   it('uses the live id when there is no compression lineage', () => {
     expect(sessionPinId(session({ id: 'abc' }))).toBe('abc')
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/store/session.ts b/apps/desktop/src/store/session.ts
index 8f87b6504..1d3197891 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/store/session.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/store/session.ts
@@ -193,24 +193,41 @@ export function noteSessionActivity(sessionId: string | null | undefined) {
   armSessionWatchdog(sessionId)
 }
 
+// Toggle an id's membership in a string-set atom, no-op when unchanged (keeps
+// the same array reference so subscribers don't churn).
+const toggleMembership = (set: (next: Updater<string[]>) => void, id: string, on: boolean) =>
+  set(current => {
+    const present = current.includes(id)
+
+    if (on) {
+      return present ? current : [...current, id]
+    }
+
+    return present ? current.filter(x => x !== id) : current
+  })
+
+// Stored session ids with a blocking prompt (clarify) waiting on the user.
+// Separate from $workingSessionIds: a session can be "working" (turn running)
+// AND need input. The sidebar row reads this for a persistent indicator that,
+// unlike a toast, survives window blur / alt-tab.
+export const $attentionSessionIds = atom<string[]>([])
+export const setAttentionSessionIds = (next: Updater<string[]>) => updateAtom($attentionSessionIds, next)
+
+export function setSessionAttention(sessionId: string | null | undefined, needsInput: boolean) {
+  if (sessionId) {
+    toggleMembership(setAttentionSessionIds, sessionId, needsInput)
+  }
+}
+
 export function setSessionWorking(sessionId: string | null | undefined, working: boolean) {
   if (!sessionId) {
     return
   }
 
-  setWorkingSessionIds(current => {
-    const alreadyWorking = current.includes(sessionId)
+  toggleMembership(setWorkingSessionIds, sessionId, working)
 
-    if (working) {
-      return alreadyWorking ? current : [...current, sessionId]
-    }
-
-    return alreadyWorking ? current.filter(id => id !== sessionId) : current
-  })
-
-  // Bookend the watchdog: arm it whenever a session enters "working",
-  // disarm it whenever it leaves. A subsequent noteSessionActivity() from
-  // a streaming event will refresh the timer.
+  // Bookend the watchdog: arm on enter, disarm on leave. A later
+  // noteSessionActivity() from a streaming event refreshes the timer.
   if (working) {
     armSessionWatchdog(sessionId)
   } else {
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/styles.css b/apps/desktop/src/styles.css
index b85f21f36..cca4855cb 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/styles.css
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/styles.css
@@ -467,6 +467,37 @@
   --arc-c1: var(--dt-foreground);
 }
 
+/* Quest-style "needs you" pulse for a clarify-blocked session's dot —
+   a soft amber glow that breathes so the row draws the eye without a toast. */
+@keyframes quest-glow {
+  0%,
+  100% {
+    transform: scale(1);
+    box-shadow:
+      0 0 0.1875rem color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-amber-500, #f59e0b) 70%, transparent),
+      0 0 0.5rem color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-amber-500, #f59e0b) 45%, transparent);
+  }
+  50% {
+    transform: scale(1.18);
+    box-shadow:
+      0 0 0.3125rem color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-amber-500, #f59e0b) 90%, transparent),
+      0 0 0.875rem color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-amber-500, #f59e0b) 65%, transparent);
+  }
+}
+
+.quest-glow {
+  animation: quest-glow 1.8s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+  .quest-glow {
+    animation: none;
+    box-shadow:
+      0 0 0.25rem color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-amber-500, #f59e0b) 80%, transparent),
+      0 0 0.625rem color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-amber-500, #f59e0b) 55%, transparent);
+  }
+}
+
 .arc-border::before {
   content: '';
   position: absolute;